Amelia Johnson: Food and Lifestyle Photographer

Why I love… American Pancakes

I don’t think you’re supposed to admit, as a 30-year old woman, that American pancakes is one of your favourite meals right? It’s not sophisticated and it’s not clever… but oh boy… they taste so good. My favourite recipe follows below, but first I must explain myself.

My husband and I live very busy lives. I work long hours and plenty of weekends, play lots of sport and have every hobby going. He works long hours, works long hours, works long hours. But when we’re on holiday together, we’re not doing anything other than being on holiday together. Phones and computers get switched off. Alarms have no place on our holidays, and all thoughts of chores and errands and laundry are put to the back of our minds. It’s just me and him, and our journey. We have spent a lot of time on holiday in the States over the last few years, and one of my favourite things to do is have a long American brunch before heading out for a day of sightseeing, driving, hiking or playing. Thanks to huge portion sizes, we rarely need to stop for lunch and so can keep going all day. When we’re at brunch together I get my husband’s full attention, over pancakes and maple syrup and bacon, planning and laughing and dreaming and sharing.

Occasionally I’ll make this recipe for dinner usually when one of us has had a bad day, to cheer us up. This really isn’t an everyday dinner dish. Otherwise, it comes out on my birthday, or when we have friends round for brunch.

Ingredients

180ml milk

30ml white vinegar

125g plain flour

25g sugar

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

3g salt

1 egg

10g melted butter

spray oil

Method:

Combine the milk with vinegar and leave for 5 minutes.

Combine all the dry ingredients.

Whisk the egg and butter into the soured milk.

Combine the wet and dry ingredients. Whisk until all the lumps are gone.

Heat a large frying pan over a medium heat and spray with oil.

Pour in a ladle of batter and cook until bubbles appear on the surface. At this point, flip the pancake. Cook for another minute and then slide onto a plate.

Where to start with serving recommendations? I have to say, Americans have it right, with very crispy bacon and maple syrup. Don’t write it off before you’ve tried it! Blueberries, raspberries, chocolate sauce, strawberry sauce, cream…. all delicious.

4 thoughts on “Why I love… American Pancakes”

Looks delish! I’m SO going to make this this weekend. Ever since I spent time in Quebec I find it very hard to have pancakes with anything other than crisp streaky bacon and lashings of maple syrup (and maybe a side order of berry ones too!). Thanks Grateful Photographer! x